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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The beauty of the moonstone
Although this stone slab did not depict any carvings during the early Anuradhapura era, it later acquired very ornate carvings and turned into a work of art. The carvings include a lotus at the centre, a line of swans, a line of animals comprising lions, horses, elephants and bulls, and another line of decorative leaf work (liyawel). Although this line-up continued to be the same during the Polonnaruwa era, the only difference was that the images of bulls were removed. It is thought that the bull was removed due to the Hindu influence which was strong during this era (the bull is a holy animal to Hindus, so treading on its image is not done). The moonstone of the Polonnaruwa era is considered to be less artistically designed than that of the Anuradhapura era. The best moonstone of the Anuradhapura era is found at the ruins of the Mahasen Mandapa close to the Abhayagiri Vihara while the best moonstone of the Polonnaruwa era is found at the northern entrance to the Watade Ge. It is not clear if the intention of the designer of the moonstone was to create a thing of beauty, to display his artistic and creative abilities or to depict a more deeper philosophy through his art. Those who have tried to decipher its meaning have included well-known archaeologist Dr Senarath Paranavithana and foreign experts H.C.P. Bell and Dr V.A. Smith.The Kandyan era saw more and more leaves coming into the moonstone and less animal images. Despite these changes in design, the moonstone has attracted many visitors and continues to attract many. ###### The twin ponds of Anuradhapura
Although they are known as twins, the southern pond, which is 28 metres in length, is smaller than the 40 metre northern pond. In architectural detail too, they differ although this is not obvious due to the exquisite craftsmanship. The stones of the pond had been disturbed over the years and their conservation was one of the biggest conservation jobs carried out in the ancient city.Water supplies first flowed into an enclosed area above the level of the ponds. From there it was fed into the smaller pond through the mouth of a dragon. The larger pond drew its water from the smaller one through a duct situated below ground level connecting the two ponds. Water from both ponds was drained out from a point at the bottom of the smaller pond. A five-headed cobra figure close to the dragon and a water filter system at the north-western end of the ponds can still be seen. It is said that there would always have been about half a feet of water in the enclosed area above the ponds and that bathers would probably have sat on the wall of the enclosure splashing their feet in the water. ###### The uncompleted dagoba
Legend says that Dutugemunu went to bathe in the Tissa Weva, leaving his ornately decorated sceptre planted in the river bank. When he came back from the bath, he found his sceptre, which contained a relic of the Buddha, impossible to pull out. Taking this as an auspicious sign, he had the dagoba built on that spot. Around the dagoba was founded a monastery. It is said that the work was completed within three years and that over 100,000 Bhikkus and 90,000 Bhikkunis were present at the consecration of the monastery. On this occasion, the king is said to have told the assembly that he had built a dagoba to make amends for having partaken of a meal with chillies (miris) without having first offered it to the Maha Sangha. Thus the dagoba was named Mirisavetiya. The diameter of the dagoba at base is 168 feet and its height was about 200 feet. The dagoba was enlarged by King Gajabahu I who donated to its monastery land worth a lot of money those days. The design of the dagoba has been repeatedly altered, but its bulk had been fairly well preserved. The best preserved basal terraces of any ancient dagoba in Sri Lanka are found at Mirisavetiya. |
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The Moonstone (Sandakada Pahana) is a stone carving found in the
ancient ruin cities of Sri Lanka. Its name has been derived from its shape
of a crescent (half moon) and it is found at the foot of a series of steps
leading to temples, monasteries or palaces.
The swimming-pool like ponds known as Kuttam Pokuna or Twin Ponds, are
the finest ponds in Anuradhapura. The ancient city is dotted with ponds
both large and small and of various descriptions, but the twin ponds are
the most impressive of them all. They were probably used by monks from the
monastery attached to the Abhayagiri Dagoba closeby.
Mirisavetiya Dagoba is located beside the Tissa Weva in Anuradhapura.
The huge but uncompleted dagoba was the first built by King Dutugemunu
after he captured this city.
